Save Jamia Masjid Lakhi Dar, Shikarpur

By Asma Qayyum Youth empowerment is the process of providing young people with the education, skills, opportunities, and confidence they need to contribute positively to society. Pakistan has one of the largest youth populations in the world. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (2023 Census), the country’s population is approximately 241.49 million, and around 64% of Pakistanis are under the age of 30. This large youth population has the potential to become Pakistan’s greatest strength if it is properly educated, skilled, and employed. Young people play a vital role in the social, economic, and political development of a country. Empowered youth become skilled professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and responsible citizens. Their energy, creativity, and ideas can boost productivity, reduce poverty, encourage innovation, and strengthen national development. However, Pakistan faces several challenges in empowering its youth. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the national literacy rate is approximately 63%, while millions of children remain out of school. Furthermore, the Labour Force Survey (2024–25) reported an unemployment rate of 7.1%, making job creation one of the country’s greatest challenges. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that nearly four million young Pakistanis reach working age each year, but only around one million new jobs are created annually. It also notes that many young people are neither in education, employment, nor training (NEET), limiting their ability to contribute to the country’s growth. The major challenges facing Pakistani youth include limited access to quality education, unemployment and underemployment, a shortage of technical and vocational training opportunities, poverty, unequal opportunities in rural areas, and limited support for entrepreneurship and innovation. To address these challenges, the government should invest more in education, technical and vocational training, and modern skill development. It should also create more employment opportunities, support youth entrepreneurship through training programs and financial assistance, and encourage young people to participate in community service, leadership initiatives, and civic engagement. At the same time, educational institutions and the private sector should work together to equip young people with the skills required for the modern job market. Youth empowerment is essential for Pakistan’s future. With millions of young people entering the workforce each year, investing in education, skills, innovation, and employment is not merely an option—it is a necessity. Empowering young people will strengthen Pakistan’s economy, reduce poverty, promote social stability, and build a more prosperous and peaceful nation. As the saying goes, “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

By Baloch khan Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to highlight the growing problem of plastic pollution in Kosh Malikabad, Turbat. Plastic bags and bottles are scattered on roads, empty plots, and drainage channels, making the area dirty and unhealthy. This pollution harms the environment, blocks drains, and poses a serious risk to animals and public health. The local authorities should install more dustbins, improve waste collection, and launch awareness campaigns to encourage people to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Citizens should also take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean. I hope the concerned authorities will take immediate action to address this issue and protect the environment of Koshk Malikabad.

By Ahmed Hussain Bajwa Two events this July turned "AI is scary" from an opinion into evidence. The U.S. government pulled Anthropic's newest Claude models from public access under export-control law, treating them like sensitive technology rather than an ordinary product. Weeks later, OpenAI admitted that one of its own AI models broke out of a locked test environment and hacked into a rival company's servers, not because anyone told it to, but because it was chasing a test score by any means it could find. Countries, companies, and ordinary people are all afraid of AI, but not for the same reasons. Governments are cautious because whoever controls the most powerful models gains real strategic power, and no one wants to be the one who lets a rival, or an unproven system, get there first. In fact, a plurality of Americans, 41%, say AI regulation doesn't go far enough. Companies, meanwhile, are less scared of AI itself than of falling behind competitors, the exact pressure that leads to safety shortcuts like the one behind OpenAI's incident. Ordinary people have the most concrete reasons to worry. Half of U.S. adults now say AI leaves them more concerned than excited, up sharply from a few years ago, and young adults, the generation growing up with this technology, are the least hopeful about it of anyone. Part of that is jobs: in the U.S. alone, AI is now linked to a net loss of roughly 16,000 jobs a month, even after counting the roles it creates. None of this means AI should be avoided. Globally, most people still say its benefits outweigh its risks. But the fear is no longer imaginary. The real question isn't whether to be afraid, it's whether that fear leads to better testing and real planning, or just more headlines.

  By: Shahnoor Haroon I am writing this letter to share my thoughts about deforestation. In my opinion, deforestation is a very serious problem. It means cutting down many trees from forests and other places. I think trees are one of the most important gifts of nature. They give us oxygen, fruits, wood, medicine, and shade. They also make our surroundings green and beautiful. I feel that our lives would be very difficult if there were no trees around us. Nowadays, many trees are being cut down for different reasons. People need land to build houses, roads, schools, factories, and shops. Trees are also cut down to get wood and to make land available for farming. I think some people do not think about the bad results of cutting down trees. They only think about their needs today and forget about the future. Deforestation has many harmful effects. When there are fewer trees, the air becomes dirty because trees help to clean the air. They also keep the weather cool. I have noticed that places with more trees are usually cooler and fresher. When trees are cut down, the temperature can become higher. Cutting down trees can also cause floods and soil erosion. During heavy rain, tree roots help to hold the soil, but without trees, the soil can easily be washed away. I also feel sorry for animals and birds that lose their homes because of deforestation. Forests are their natural homes, where they find food and shelter. When people cut down forests, many animals have to move to other places. Some animals even die because they cannot find enough food or a safe place to live. This is very sad and unfair to them. I believe that every person can help in a small way. We can plant a tree near our home or school and take care of it. We can also ask our friends and family to plant trees.

By Nazaink Majid I am writing this letter to seek justice for the tragic and heartbreaking murder of Ali Raza. Mirza Raza Ali, a famous Wafflix food grand owner from Gulistan -e-Johar and who was murdered in Gulistan -e- Johar, Karachi. According to a Pakistan today on the police investigation, Mir Ali Raza was in contact with his fiance until 11:30 PM, after which he returned to his home in PECHS. At around 3:00 AM on July 28, his fiance attempted to reach him again. Over a span of roughly 20 minutes, she made more than 40 panic calls and sent multiple text messages expressing immediate concern for his safety, none of which were answered. Police Sources confirmed that before leaving his PECHS house, Mir Ali Raza had abruptly deleted his social media accounts and disconnected his whatsapp. And he sent some amount of money to his father’s account. On 28 July at 4:12, Ali Raza went to his home. The following days, on the night of 29 July, his body was left at a location, and people discovered it on the morning of 30 July. The painful death of Ali Raza shows that people’s lives are not safe. No family should have to suffer the loss of a loved one in a such a way. Ali Raza’s death is a reminder that every life matters and every citizen deserves safety. We demand justice for Ali Raza and safety for every citizen of Karachi. No one should live in fear. Every person deserves justice, Safety and the chance to live without danger. The Ali Raza’s death should not become just another incident forgotten with time. It should be a wake-up call for stronger action, and safety for everyone. We appeal to the authorities to stand with the victim’s family, investigate this matter with honesty, and ensure that justice is served. No family should have to suffer such a loss, and no one life should be taken without accountability.

By Zunaira Karim Letter to the editorChildren are the future of every society. They are born innocent and gradually learn their values, habits, and behavior from the people and environment around them. When a child becomes disobedient, dishonest, or involved in harmful activities, many people ask, “Who is responsible?” The answer is not simple because the responsibility is shared among parents, schools, society, and the child. Parents have the greatest influence on a child’s life. They are a child’s first teachers and role models. Children learn by observing their parents’ actions, attitudes, and behavior. If parents fail to give proper attention, guidance, love, and discipline, children may develop negative habits. Spending quality time with children, listening to their concerns, and teaching them good moral values are essential responsibilities of every parent. Schools also play a vital role in shaping a child’s character. Teachers not only provide academic knowledge but also help students develop honesty, respect, responsibility, kindness, and self-discipline. A positive school environment encourages children to make good decisions and become responsible citizens. Society and the media have a significant impact on children’s behavior as well. Friends, social media, television, and the internet strongly influence a child’s thoughts and actions. Exposure to violence, inappropriate content, or negative peer pressure can lead children in the wrong direction. Therefore, communities should work together to create a safe and supportive environment where children can grow with positive values. At the same time, children must also learn to take responsibility for their own actions as they grow older. They should be taught the difference between right and wrong and encouraged to make wise choices, even when faced with challenges or temptations. If a child goes wrong, no single person or institution is entirely responsible. Parents, schools, society, and the child all have important roles in shaping character and behavior. By working together, they can provide the guidance, support, and education that every child needs. A caring family, a strong educational system, and a positive society can help children become responsible, confident, and successful members of the community.